The bluestone path between the courtyards.
Tang Ji wore a long palace dress with a red background and gold trim, embroidered with peony and cloud brocade patterns. She held a small light fan in her hand, followed by two maids.
Now I am walking on this bluestone road.
Since the matter was not urgent, Tang Ji walked in a leisurely manner, occasionally stopping to enjoy the scenery on the left and right.
Flowers, birds, insects and fish, there is a sense of tranquility and ease.
If it weren't for the fact that there was a maid following behind her and she needed to maintain the majesty of her master's house, she might have been unable to help but sing softly.
about your current living situation.
Tang Ji was very satisfied.
She was originally a happy-go-lucky, calm and comfortable person. As long as her life was stable and she didn't have to worry, it didn't matter even if the conditions were simple.
What's more, the current living environment is not bad.
There is food, drink, and people to serve. Although the pavilions and gardens where we live are not as good as the Luoyang Palace, it is at least much better than the small villa in Dingtao County.
The level of stability is by no means comparable to that in the palace. At least she doesn't have to worry about it with the emperor. She is always worried about whether a soldier will rush in at the next second and behead her neck.
Except for not being able to leave the mansion, everything else is quite free. You can do whatever you want to do throughout the day.
Even Tang Ji no longer has to go to her mother to pay her respects. Even the complicated etiquette, the heaviest shackles, is now as light as nothing.
You can have enough food and clothing without doing anything.
Get up late in the morning, take a walk around after breakfast, and enjoy the scenery of Fuzhong. After lunch, take a nice nap.
When you have leisure time in the afternoon, you can read a book, play with the birds specially raised to relieve boredom, or take care of your own flowers and plants.
Even just leaning in the courtyard.
Doing nothing, just squinting for a while with half-closed eyes, the afternoon passed like this.
Wait until after dinner, take care of yourself, and then sleep peacefully.
A decadent, fulfilling, and beautiful day.
So it passed.
Who doesn’t want to live such a day?
…
While thinking happily.
One step at a time.
Tang Ji soon arrived at the Queen Mother's yard.
"My mother never likes the crowds and noise. I will go in alone to pay my respects. You guys will wait here."
Before stepping into the courtyard.
Tang Ji gave an extra warning, and then left the two maids here. She put away her fan, restored her reserved posture, and stepped into the courtyard with respectful steps.
The Queen Mother's house is directly in front after crossing the courtyard gate, which is the north wing, where the main house is located.
It was not far from the courtyard gate, so after taking a few steps, Tang Ji was already close.
But compared to Cao Ang's behavior, he was casual.
Tang Ji is more polite.
Even if the rules and etiquette systems in the house are much looser now, she can't just open the door and break into the house so carelessly.
So stand a few steps away.
Tang Ji folded her hands in front of her belly.
Then he spoke in a soft but clear voice: "Queen Mother, Your Majesty asked me to come to your place and fetch for him a few volumes of books that were placed here before."
"Can Wan'er come in?"
…
At this moment, in a house separated by a window.
The Queen Mother was dumbfounded.
She was originally as soft as a puddle of water. The moment she heard Tang Ji's voice, her whole body tensed up and became a piece of iron.
Don't dare to move.
He placed his hands on the table and knelt on the soft cushions, letting beads of sweat fall down from the tip of his nose, chin, waist and abdomen.
After a long time.
Empress Dowager He turned her head, her face full of fear, and her eyes full of panic as she looked at Cao Ang.
"What should I do? If Wan'er comes in and sees us like this, everything will be over!"
"Quickly think of a solution!"
The Queen Mother tried her best to keep her voice down, for fear that Tang Ji outside would hear even the slightest movement.
At this moment, Cao Ang was also kneeling on the soft cushion.
But he stabilized the Queen Mother's mind at the critical moment.
First, he leaned forward with his chest pressed against the Queen Mother's jade back, and then whispered in the Queen Mother's ear: "Reply her quickly, otherwise she will think you are asleep and come in directly later!"
"Uh... um~ don't move!"
Feel the sudden fulfillment in your heart.
The Queen Mother choked first.
Then he rolled his eyes at Cao Ang, slapped him with his hand, and gave him a warning.
But it’s urgent.
We still have to deal with Tang Ji.
Therefore, after receiving Cao Ang's advice, the Queen Mother turned around and shouted out the window.
…
"It's Wan'er. I've already gone to bed and changed my clothes. It's very inconvenient to get up now. Why don't you go back first."
"I'll have enough sleep later and send my maid to deliver it to Bian'er to save you the trouble of making an extra trip."
Tang Ji was not suspicious.
He just said softly: "Why bother my mother to get up? There are only a few scrolls on the left and right. It's enough for Wan'er to go into the house and find her alone."
"no!"
The Queen Mother shouted decisively.
Tang Ji's proposal was directly rejected.
This sudden majestic voice startled Tang Ji. She didn't know why her mother reacted so violently all of a sudden.
But maybe he noticed a mistake.
The Queen Mother quickly explained in a soft tone: "I always lock the door when I rest. If I don't get up, how can you get in?"
"So just do as I say!"
It's been a while.
Tang Ji must have left honestly.
After all, the Queen Mother's majesty did not allow her daughter-in-law to question her. Now that the Queen Mother had made up her mind, Tang Ji had no more choice.
But just now the Queen Mother had such a nervous reaction.
But it made Tang Ji suspicious.
"Mother, Wan'er will leave first. I'll leave a maid waiting outside the hospital. When the time comes, you can just order her to carry the slips over."
After getting a response from the room.
Tang Ji did not turn around and leave.
Instead, he tiptoed to the window and put his ear against the window.
…
"Huh...huh..."
"hiss!"
"Uh huh...hmm~"
"I told you to stop moving. Why are you so anxious?"
Just those few calls that sounded like a melodious warbler.
Tang Ji, who was listening attentively, had a blush on her cheeks, and the blood was like red smoke, which instantly took over the princess's delicate and white skin.
No wonder the mother didn't open the door. It turned out that she was doing something like that. This was really... too exciting, no, it was too degrading!
Before she could have more ideas.
Then I heard a man's voice, which he tried to lower down.
"Baby, weren't you so anxious at first? My husband was just following orders!"
"Humph! I didn't ask you to stay still. It's just that Wan'er hasn't left yet, so I asked you to stop first."
This brief conversation.
Let Tang Ji completely determine the identity of the man in the house.
There is no doubt that the person who is practicing the secret technique with his mother is General Cao Angcao, who came back from the north a few days ago and has only been home for a short time.
It makes sense when you think about it.
As the queen's lover, General Cao has been back for several days. It's time to get here after counting the days.
It's even possible that he came here two days ago, but she just didn't bump into him.
When I thought of the Queen Mother and General Cao, they were in strange postures in the house.
But he was standing outside the house without knowing anything, looking confused and even asking questions.
This scene is exactly the same as it was in the small farmyard outside Luoyang City!
I still remember that night.
He also followed the queen at night, and ended up listening to the sound of the wall outside the wing for the middle of the night, and even... even got her clothes dirty.
Such memories.
In an instant, Tang Ji was filled with embarrassment.
…
For everything that goes on inside the house.
Tang Ji has no resistance now.
After all, as mentioned earlier, a beautiful and fulfilling life.
Tang Ji couldn't think of any other pursuits for a while. Sometimes she even thought about letting this life go on peacefully and peacefully.
Tang Ji also knew very well that the person who created the conditions for her to live the above-mentioned life was Cao Ang.
The life-saving grace is beyond the sky.
In addition, he has been protecting her from wind and rain so that she can have a stable life, which is also a great kindness.
All kinds of things.
Tang Ji had long since given up her worries.
At the fireworks show at the beginning of the year, Tang Ji had actually unilaterally reconciled with Cao Ang, and secretly decided not to care about the matter anymore.
Therefore, even if she knew that a fight was breaking out in the house, Tang Ji had no intention of stopping it.
But if you want to leave like this...
Tang Ji touched her cheek with the back of her hand and felt that it was frighteningly hot. The originally hot summer day seemed a bit cool in comparison.
We can't just leave like this!
No matter what, I have to scare the queen mother and the others.
Tang Ji suddenly had a child-like playful mood for no reason.
Although in terms of age.
She is just a girl.
…
Quietly took a few steps back.
Then increase the pace.
Pretend to be coming from a distance.
"Mother, it's a hot day and the windows are closed all the time. It's a bit stuffy."
"How about I open the window for you and let some air in, so that you can sleep more peacefully."
Tang Ji suddenly said this.
And after the words fell.
Then he put his hands on the window, pretending to open the window from the outside.
This scared the Queen Mother half to death.
His whole body was filled with excitement.
The body that was originally a little loose became tense again, which greatly stimulated Cao Ang behind him, and he straightened his waist.
"No need!"
"The weather is sultry. Even if the wind blows in, it is still hot. Opening the windows makes it even drier."
"Besides, I've also changed my clothes. If you open the window, Wan'er, the queen will feel uncomfortable. How can she sleep peacefully?"
"Listen to me, just leave!"
…
Guess the two people inside the house.
She should have been startled by her sudden move. Tang Ji couldn't help covering her mouth and laughed quietly for a while.
It was originally because I heard movement inside the house.
Which results in a blush on the cheeks.
It also faded a lot because of this.
Instead, there was joy in my heart.
"Okay, I'll listen to my mother!"
Having said that, he deliberately slowed down his steps.
Slowly left the Queen Mother's courtyard.
This time he really left.
After all, just joking once is enough. If it goes too far, it would be a bit too much.
And as Tang Ji's footsteps gradually faded away.
The two people in the room just relaxed.
However, while holding the Queen Mother's slender waist, Cao Ang frowned slightly and fell into deep thought for a short time.
He always felt that Tang Ji's reaction was not quite right.
The Queen Mother has already spoken, and the obedient daughter-in-law should leave obediently instead of turning around and saying something about opening the window. This is very unreasonable based on Tang Ji's character.
Such unnecessary actions.
Could it be that he discovered something?
Although this is just a guess in my mind, there is no so-called support.
But sometimes this kind of guess is more reliable than anything else. For a moment, Cao Ang had some bad premonitions in his heart.
But there's no rush right now.
When I find a suitable time, I will test it myself and make sure.
Let's see if Tang Ji knew about her and the Queen Mother's affairs, or if she just did it by mistake.
At that time, targeted measures will be taken based on the feedback received.
…………
He said he was testing Tang Ji.
But in fact, there are many days to come.
Cao Angdu did not find the right time.
It was impossible for him to rush directly to Tang Ji and ask, otherwise something would happen if he asked even if it was nothing.
And soon.
Cao Ang put this matter behind him for the time being.
Because a team came from Jingzhou, which slightly disrupted his plan.
At this moment, he is in the East County Prefecture.
Cao Cao was occupying the main seat, Cao Ang was sitting on his left hand side, and in the center of the hall stood a middle-aged scribe, bowing to salute the two of them.
"I, Han Song, have a high moral character. I have met Meng Degong and General Zixiu. I would also like to say hello to you two on behalf of my lord Liu Jingzhou!"
Cao Cao smiled and cupped his hands.
Then he said in a kind tone: "De Gao doesn't need to be so polite, please get up quickly!"
"Brother Jingsheng is being very polite this time. Please also say hello to him on my behalf when you return your life."
After Han Song straightened his back.
Cao Cao waved his hand, motioning for him to sit down on the right side, and asked casually.
"Excuse me, I don't know what position De Gao currently holds in Jingzhou, and what position he holds?"
Han Song bowed his hand to Cao Cao.
Then he replied with great solemnity: "I dare not hide it from you. I am now staying away from Jingzhou!"
…
Cao Cao heard this.
He couldn't help but turn his head, looked at each other with Cao Ang, and then nodded to each other imperceptibly.
Come on, this is already considered a relatively high-status figure in the state-level bureaucracy.
Liu Biao sent such people to visit.
First, it shows that he attaches great importance to the Cao family and his son and does not dare to neglect.
On the other hand, it also shows that Liu Biao sent Han Song here this time, and the matter he wanted to discuss was probably not a trivial matter, otherwise he would not have sent a chariot.
After getting this information.
The father and son were somewhat sure of the rhythm of the conversation to come and what they were going to talk about.
"It turns out that it was Han Biejia who was in front of you. Your Excellency delivered the assassination outside the mansion earlier. The people in this county misjudged it for a moment, which resulted in a lot of rudeness. I hope you will not take it off!"
It was Cao Ang who said this.
Previously, this guy named Han came out of the county mansion to pay his respects inexplicably. He was wearing ordinary clothes and didn't have any majestic posture around him.
When he opened his mouth, he said that he wanted to see the prefect and the state pastor.
There was no doubt that he was stopped.
He still took out the token of Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, and after many twists and turns, he finally met the Cao family and his son.
…
And after listening to Cao Ang's words.
Han Song first smiled bitterly.
Then he bowed his hand to Cao Ang.
"General, just call me De Gao!"
"To be honest with you, I have been ordered to come here this time. Before leaving, my family master told me that my identity must be concealed during this trip and must not be exposed to others."
"Especially before I meet you two, I must not let anyone know that I am from Jingzhou, let alone let anyone know that I am from Xiangyang."
"So I dressed up in disguise along the way, wore ordinary clothes, and didn't have many followers around me. Every time I came and went, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. The cause of this matter is mine, and I really can't blame the officials of the county."
As soon as this statement came out.
Cao Ang couldn't help but nodded slightly.
Let a person who can be called a senior official of the state government sneak over to pay a visit.
While Cao Ang was very interested in what Han Song was going to say next, he also had some guesses.
But before he could ask.
Father Cao Cao sitting aside.
I have already taken care of this matter for him.
"De Gao, I wonder what important matter Brother Jing Sheng has that requires such a display."
"Now that you have seen my father and son, and there are no outsiders here, you might as well say some things directly."
…
After getting Cao Cao's approval.
Han Song, who had just sat down, stood up again, looking respectful and cautious.
Bow to Cao Cao and Cao Ang.
Han Song then said loudly: "Reporting to Duke Meng De, I came here this time and was actually ordered to bring a message for my lord."
"I wonder if the Cao family is interested in sending troops together with my lord, Jingzhou Governor Liu Jingsheng, in a pincer attack from the north and south, to attack Yuan Shu and Yuan Gongluo who have stationed troops in Luyang!"
The words just fell.
A bright light suddenly flashed in Cao Ang's eyes.
He really guessed it!
Liu Biao sent people here this time, really intending to contact the Cao family to take action together, teach Yuan Shu a painful lesson, and defeat him in one battle with the force of a pincer attack from the north and the south.
Okay, this is very much in line with Liu Biao’s style!
As far as Cao Ang knows.
Before Liu Biao's ambition wore off in his later years and he was completely transformed into a lord of success, he was an ambitious and enterprising figure.
Now it seems that this statement is indeed true.
But think about it.
No matter whether Liu Xian is determined to make progress or not, at least Yuan Shu has always stationed troops in the north of Nanyang, eyeing the entire territory of Jingzhou.
This is a great threat to Liu Biao.
If Liu Biao regarded Jingzhou as his base, he would not be able to sit back and watch Yuan Shu, always sleeping on the side of the bed, without doing anything.
Especially after Yuan Shu's army was stationed in Luyang County, it became impossible for Liu Biao to capture Nanyang County.
Yuan Shu must be driven away first.
Capture Nanyang County and unify eight counties in Jingzhou.
Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, truly deserves his title, instead of having only seven counties in Jingzhou as is the case now.
…
Regarding driving Yuan Shu out of Nanyang.
In fact, the Cao family also has needs.
After all, if Yuan Jiujiu is stuck in the north of Nanyang, it will always be an annoying nail.
As long as Yuan Shu wants to, he can cross Yingchuan County at any time and then invade Yanzhou's territory.
Especially the five-way attack on Cao before.
Yuan Shu has clearly done such a thing once, and it is very likely that he will do it again in the future.
Regarding enemies that may threaten their base at any time, both Cao Cao and Cao Ang always adhere to one concept, that is, they will never show mercy!
If you can't kill him, you have to hurt him.
What's more, the Cao family's next Yuzhou strategy.
It is necessary to win by force, except for Runan County, all the other Yuzhou counties.
This also cannot avoid a battle with Yuan Shu.
Therefore, even if Liu Biao does not send anyone.
After Cao Cao and Cao Ang combined their efforts, they would probably take the initiative to send someone there.
But now since it is Jingzhou who came first.
This proves that Liu Biao is more eager.
The initiative is now in the hands of the Cao family.
This matter needs to be discussed.
…
Think of this.
Cao Ang immediately smiled and shook his head.
"Send troops together, attack from the north and south, jointly attack Yuan Shu and drive him out of Nanyang."
"This thing sounds good, but why do our Cao family do this?"
"Expelling Yuan Shu from Nanyang will undoubtedly be of great benefit to Uncle Jing Sheng, but it seems to be a mediocre gain for our Cao family."
Speaking of which.
Cao Ang paused for a moment.
Then he continued to speak.
"What's more, Yuan Shu has well-prepared troops and strong strength. If he goes to war with him, he will inevitably lose his troops and generals."
"The benefits are few, but the losses are not small. Why do we, the Cao family, do something that is not beneficial to us? It is better to stay in Yanzhou and practice self-cultivation."
…
Monthly ticket recommendation ticket
(End of chapter)
